Florida mother charged with fatally stabbing kids skips court date

PALM BAY, Fla. – A central Florida woman charged with fatally stabbing her two children and seriously injuring her baby has waived her right to a court appearance.

Instead of appearing before a judge Sunday, Florida Today reports Jessica Lacey McCarty chose to remain in custody where she is under a special medical watch. No other details were given about her condition. A judge ordered her held without bond.

McCarty, 33, is charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder after authorities said she called 911 Friday night and said she had killed her children. Authorities found her in the front yard carrying a knife.

Seven-year-old Laci McCarty and 6-year-old Philip McCarty were later pronounced dead. Christopher Swist, who is six-months-old, is in critical condition at an Orlando hospital.